Page:Report from the Select Committee on Steam Carriages.pdf/107



John Farey, Esq. 10 August, 1831. when the road is covered with mud and wet dirt or snow. The above observations apply to all four-wheeled Carriages, whether they are drawn by horses or impelled by steam; but in common Carriages, the horses' feet tend to dig up the road; I think the Steam Carriages will, when perfected, be free from that objection, and that they have a greater claim to be allowed to run their wheels in the same tracks than other Carriages.

Were you ever in Mr. Hancock's Carriage, when travelling?-Yes; I have ridden on it; but he has put in larger cylinders since I went with him the last time, and I understand makes better progress now. I have examined all his present machinery in detail,and think it very judiciously planned.

Did you find that it frightened horses, or annoyed passengers?-I have stated before, that I found horses were not frightened; but every one must judge for himself, of the degree of annoyance he experiences. Persons who are accustomed to travel in luxurious, private Carriages, would find many annoyances in a common Stage Coach, which others would consider as excellent travelling. I am so accustomed to machinery, and to Stage Coach travelling and to Steam Boats, that I am not liable to be annoyed thereby; and I found riding in Mr. Hancock's Carriage to be exceedingly like travelling in a Stage Coach. I heard no complaints by passengers. I believe he has never found any difficulty in getting passengers, since he has run for hire. Persons are reported to be annoyed by the smell of hot grease, in the Steam Coaches on the Cheltenham Road; I can only say, that I never observed such a smell in Mr. Hancock's Carriage. If there are any real annoyances to the passengers in particular Steam Coaches, they will work their own cure in a short time, either by the proprietors finding out remedies, or else giving up their Coaches, as they must do if they are not rendered agreeable to the passengers. The only question that deserves attention is, whether there is any danger to passengers, or any serious annoyance to other persons not passengers.

Did you observe any horses or Carriages passing his